My imagination has been invaded by cinema. I don’t know when or how this happened, but Malory played like a movie in my head. I was quietly making casting decisions, working out camera angles, deciding on costuming, and making a little movie in my mind through the whole thing. I haven’t done this before and wonder if it means I’m watching too many movies.
When the knights were pounding on Guinevere’s door, intent on catching her and Launcelot together, and he said three times, “If only I had my armor,” and then finally opened the door just enough to let one knight in, kill him, and take his armor, then get armed and open the door and slaughter all of them but Modred, well – it all played out in my head as a great action sequence. When Gawain goes psycho after Launcelot kills all his brothers, that imaginary actor playing Gawain nailed the role perfectly. When Launcelot goes to see Guenevere in the nunnery at the end, and asks for one last kiss, and she says no, and they part for the last time – well, I swear I heard violins.
I suspect that part of the reason is that I watch too many movies, but another part is that this form of entertainment seems pretty much in the same genre as a good summer historical action movie, like Braveheart or Gladiator - lots of confusing stuff that doesn’t make sense, is historically inaccurate, or could have been better written, interspersed with stirring action scenes, attractive leads, and really sublime moments. Yet I’ve never seen a decent movie version of this stuff. Lots of attempts – I think the best was one called “Excalibur” from back in the 80’s that wasn’t bad – I might have to netflix it and see if I’m remembering correctly. There was an awful one with Richard Gere, and another one a few years ago that wasn’t too bad as a movie (though nothing special) but not in any way about this King Arthur.
